Calculating device



July 27, 1937. v w. M. PHELPS 2,083,533

' CALCULATING DEVICE Filed Oct. 5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l mm NSF-41b July 27, 1937. w, PHELPS 2,088,533

CALCULATING DEVICE Filed Oct. 3, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wilbur/M .p/LZZPS.

i8. 2711mm,

Patented July 27, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE CALCULATING DEVICE Wilbur M. Phelps, Staunton', Va., assignor of one-third to Harold C. James, Staunton, Va.

Application October 3, 1936, Serial No. 103,934

12 Claims.

My invention is a device for ascertaining the dimensions of portions of grams or recorded lines and translating the same into units of known values.

In recent years, there has been a rapid development of instruments for use in the medical profession, which render it possible for the physician to make accurate diagnoses and records of the same. As an illustration of these instru- 10 ments, the electrocardiograph may be given.

An electrocardiograph is an instrument adapted to be applied to the human body for the purpose of making a gram or recorded line for indiblocks. This practice is not wholly satisfactory as it is diflicult and time consuming, and errors are liable to creep in. I

In accordance with my invention, I provide a 30 device for use in connection with the electrocardiogram of photographic film, which is produced by the electrocardiograph. My device is capable of translating longitudinal units of the gram or recorded line into desired units of known 35 value, such as units of time, to thereby indicate the time interval of a heart action, or the time interval between such actions. The device is also capable of translating the pitch or a transverse unit of length of the gram into desired known units, such as units-of length, from which units of voltage may be readily computed, thus indicating the voltage of the current which accompanied the heart action. The device will ascertain the 45 dimensions of the deflections and translate the same into units of known value, when the deflections extend above or below the base line of the gram. The device is also capable of translating the deflections of the grams into terms of actions 50 per minute of the various parts of the heart.

While the device is particularly well adapted for use in connection with the electrocardiogram, for the purposes stated, it is not necessarily restricted to this use, as it may be employed in .con-

55 nection with other record devices to measure the gram or record line and to translate the same into units of known value.

The invention is not necessarily restricted to a device which will perform all of the enumerated functions, and the invention is defined in the subjoined claims, the scope of which is not limited by the recitation of the functions or advantages of the invention.-

In theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts through the same, I Figure 1 is a plan view of a device embodying my invention, showing an electrocardiogram or film in position and the pivoted element in the or starting position. v v Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken on line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the device adjusted to measure the length or horizontal dimension of an upwardly extending deflection, and the pivoted element shifted to the end of its position to effect such measurement,

Figure 5 is a similar view, with the parts adjusted, and in the 0 or starting position, to

measure the height or transverse dimension of v the upwardly extending deflection,

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the pivoted element turned to the end of its travel to complete such measurement,

Figure 7 is a similar view, showing the parts adjusted to measure the length or horizontaldimension of a deflection depending below the base line of the gram, and with the pivoted element at the "0 or starting position,

Figure 8 is a similar view with the pivoted element shifted to the end of its movement to complete the measurement, 1

Figure 9 is a. similar view, with the parts anjusted to measure the height or transverse dimension of the depending deflection, the pivoted;

element being in the starting position, and,

Figure 10 is a similar'viewshowing the pivoted element moved to the end of its travel to complete the measurement.

The device embodies a flat plate or table top 5, preferably formed of transparent material. This table top may be supported by legs 6, at its corners, in a manner to be described. The plate or table top 5 has transverse slots 1, near its ends,

and these slots are parallel and are preferably transversely inclined so that their opposite walls converge inwardly. These slots receive and. hold an electrocardiogram or fllm 3. The plate or table top 5, with its slots I, serves as holding means for the electrocardiogram or film 9, which may be shifted longitudinally with respect to the plate or table top 5, and may also be shiited transversely with respect to the same, since the slots 1 are longer than the width of the electrocardiogram or fllm 3, as shown. 1

Adapted to be mounted upon the plate or table top 5 is a plate 9, which is preferably formed of transparent material. This plate 9 constitutes the support or body portion of the device. The plate 9 operates within guides Ill, attached to the plate or table top 9, at its longitudinal edges. The plate 9 is longitudinally adjustable with respect to the plate 5, but cannot move perceptibly transversely with relation thereto, when within the guides II. The plate 9 may be separated from the plate 5 by a longitudinal movement which will withdraw the same from the guides I 0.

The legs 9 are rigidly attached to an open horizontal frame having upstanding flanges l2 and I3 at its ends and sides. These flanges receive therebetween the assembled plates 9 and 5, and the endflanges H are shorter, so that the plate 9 may pass over the same, in its longitudinal adjustment.

The plate 9 is provided with base lines it and II which are equi-distantly spaced from the iongitudinal edges oi the plate 9 and extend parallel with these edges. The plate 9 is provided with a circular opening l3 between the base lines It and I9 and the center oi! the circular opening is in alignment with the base lines It and, IS. A rotary element or disc I! is mounted within the opening or recess l3 and is provided at its periphery with an annular tongue I! overlapping and resting upon an annular tongue l9, formed upon the plate 9. These tongues prevent the downward displacement of the pivoted element or circular disc l1, while its upper displacement is prevented by cleats 23 or the like, attached to the plate 9. The pivoted element or disc I! is also formed of transparent material. The pivoted element or disc II also has a base line 2|, passing through its center 22 and extending to its periphery, and adapted to register with base lines M and I5, as will be more tully described. The pivoted element or disc i1 is provided with a circular indicator 23, which is stationary with re- 9 a which is remote from the units 01' length,

therewith. The

lation to the element or form of a line drawn or otherwise produced upon the disc H. The circular indicator 23 has its center 29 arranged in the base line 2|, but eccentrio with respect to the center 22 of the disc l1, and upon that side of the center 22 which is remote from the base line ll. The major portion of the diameter 01 the circular indicator 23 is therefore arranged upon that side of the center base line ll. provided with circularly curved scale 23. This scale is graduated to denote units of lime and extends from 0" to "0490" second. The scale 2| extends counter-cl This scaleisconcentricwithrespecttothe or recess I3, is adjacent thereto and the "0" is arrangedupontheboseline ,asshown.

The pivoted element or disc I! is provided with scales2land2l. Thesescalesaregraduatedin such as millimeters; and each scale may extend from "0" to "20". The scale 21 extends counter-clockwise andthe scale 23 extcndsclockwisaandthesescalesareamngedat theper'lpheryol'thsdisc Handareconcentric "0" is common to the scales 21 Theplatelis discl'landmaybeinthe' and 28 and is applied to the base line 2|. The base line It which is designated 0 serves as a pointer for the scales 21 and 28, while the base line 2|, also designated 0", serves as a pointer for the scale 25. The scale 21 is designated Down" while the scale 29 is designated Up". While the scales 2! and 28 are graduated in millimeters, they also denote units of voltage, as one millimeter equals 0.0001 volt as indicated at 29. The disc I1 is also provided with lines 30, arranged at a right angle to the base line 2|. The space between these lines indicates a unit of time, such as 3 seconds. When this is the case, the lines 30 are spaced for a distance of millimeters, since the electrocardiogram or film 9, when being produced, travels at the rate of 25 millimeters per second. By noting the number of deflections occurring between the lines 30 and multiplying these by 20, the number of deflec tions per minute are obtainable.

The electrocardiogram or film 8 has its recording produced photographically. This film has a grid which is formed thereon before or at the time of the photographing oi? the gram or recorded line. The grid embodies longitudinal and transverse lines 3| and 32, which divide the film into squares which are 0.5 centimeter. The grid further comprises longitudinal and transverse lines 33 and 34, dividing each large square into smaller squares of 1 millimeter. The numeral 35 designates the gram or recorded line which may be photographed or otherwise produced upon the electrocardiogram or film. This gram or recorded line is produced by the action of the electrocardiograph, by the electrical impulses which accompany the contraction and expansion of the heart. The film is advanced at the rate of 25 millimeters per second. The gram or recorded line 35 has a base 36, and variations from this base are deflections and are designated 31, 38 and 39. The deflection 31 is caused by the electrical impulses accompanying the contraction of the auricles, while the complex deflection 39 and the deflection 39 are produced by the electrical impulses from the ventricles. Between these various deflections are intervals. These intervals are measured from the end of one deflection to the beginning of the next deflection. In Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the deflections extend above the base 36, while in Figures 7 to 10, the deflections extend below the base. This may be caused by the variations in the origin or location or route of a transmission of the electrical impulses in the heart.

In measuring deflections which extend above the base 33, attention is now called to Figures 1 to 6, inclusive. The electrocardiogram or film 3 with the gram or recorded line 35 produced thereon is placed upon the' table top I, the plate 9 being now removed, and the ends of the film are passed through theslots 1, which are wider than the fllm, as stated. Due to the inclination of the slots I, the film is held upon the table top 5 and will lie fiat thereon. The transparent plate 9 is now passed into the guldes II and is thereby positioned above the table top I and film 3. The pivoteddisc I! is now turned until the "0" end 01' the base line 2| registers with the 0" end of the base line ll, at-which time the pivoted disc will be at the "0 or starting position. Since the deflections extendupwardly from the base of the gramor recorded line 33,-the ends of the fllm I beneath the table top I are engaged by the operstar and the mm is adjusted laterally until the Milne otthedis'c-llregisterswiththeupper edge of the base 36 oi the gram or recorded line. This is rendered possible by having the slots 1 longer than the width of the flini. With the elements thus adjusted, the plate 3 may be adjusted the edge of the circular indicator 23 at. the beginning oi the selected deflection at the upper edge of the base 36. The edge of the indicator 23 may therefore register with the point 40, as

shown in Figure 1. With the parts thus adjusted,

' the disc I! is now turned counter-clockwise until is again adjusted so that the -23 will register with the the edge of the circular indicator 23 registers with the opposite end ll of the deflection 36, as

shown in Figure 4. By this time end or the base line 2| will register with theproper graduation in the scale 26, shown as .08, or any other unit 0! the scale, depending upon the character of the deflection. The distance between the points 40 and 4| is therefore translated by the device into .08 second, which means that the deflection 33 indicates an electrical impulse consuming .08 second. This operation may be repeated for determining the time interval 01' any other deflection, or the time interval of any interval occurring between deflections. This is accomplished by adjusting the parts as explained and arranging the indicator at the starting end of the deflection or interval portion and rotating the disc l1 counter-clockwise until the edge of the indicator 23 registers with the opposite end of the deflection or interval portion. The device will thus readily translate the longitudinal dimension of a given portion of the gram or recorded line 35 into the units of scale 26, which may be time units, or other known units.

To measure the height of any upwardly projecting deflection and hence its voltage, the disc I 0" end of the base line 2| registers with the "0 end of the base line it, Figure 5, and the base line 2! registers with the upper edge of the base 36 of the gram or recorded line. The plate 9 is now longitudinally adjusted to bring the edge of the indicator 23 in registration with the center line .42 of the deflection 33. The line 42 is of course an imaginary line passing through the center of the deflection. This adjustment is shown in Figure 5, and the disc I! is then turned counter-clockwise until the edge oi. the indicator 23 registers with the apex 43 of the deflection, at which time the reading is taken from scale 23, Figure 6. The 0" end of the base line M will now register with 10 of the .Up scale 23, thus giving the height of the deflection as 10 millimeters. These 10 millimeters may be readily translated into volts by multiplying the same by 0.0001. 0! course the scale could be graduated in units of voltage, but this is not advantageous as the characters would occupy contemplated as within tion. When it is desired to measure the time interval of a deflectionextending below the base of the. gram or recorded line 35, the parts are adjusted as shown in Figure '1. The pivoted disc I1 is turned so that its base line 2i. has its 0" end registering with the "0 II. .The electrocardiogram or fllmv is new adjusted sov that the register with the lower edge of the base 36 of the recorded line 35, and the plate 3 is adjusted longitudinally so that the edge of the indicator end 40 of the depending deflection 38, as shown in Figure 7. The pivoted disc i1 is now turned counter-clockwise until the the scope of the inventoo much space, but this is end of the base line edge 0! the indicator 23 registers with the opposite end ll of the deflection 33, at which time the 0" end oi the base line 2lwill register with j .08 oi the scale 25, thus indicating the time longitudinally of the fllm and table top 5 to bring To measure the height of the depending deflection 38, the parts are adjusted to. assume the position shown in Figure 9, which is identical with the adjustment of parts shown in Figure 5, except that the base line 2| registers with the lower edge or the base 36 of the recorded line 35, the edge of the indicator 23 registering with the center line 42. The disc i1 is now turned clockwise-until the edge of the indicator 23 registers with the apex 43 of the deflection, at which time the 0 end of the base line II will register with in the Down" scale 21, thus indicating that the height of the deflection is 10 millimeters, and this height may be readily translated into voltage by multiplying 10" by 0.0001. Ordinarily the base line 2| is made to register with the upper or lower edges of the base 36 of.

fllm, when photographing the gram or recorded line travels at the rate of 25 millimeters per second and the lines are spaced a distance of '75 millimeters apart, thereby indicating a time interval of 3 seconds. v15y counting the number.

oi deflections 38 occurring between the lines 30, it will be seen that there are 5 of these deflections, and it is therefore known that 5 of them occurred in 3 seconds. By multiplying the 5 deflections by 20, there will be 100 deflections which would occur-in one minute. In a. similar manner, the number of .deflections or the number of intervals between deflections may be determined per minute. It ispreferred to have the parts of the device made of transparent material, but the invention is not restricted to the use of the same. The film 8 might be made of transparent material, and placed upon the top of the plate 9 and associated element, and the gram or line thus properly used in connection with the disc i1 and associated elements.

While I have shown and described my device as used in connection with an electrocardiogram or film as produced by the electrocardiograph, it is not necessarily restricted to this use, as it may be employed to measure or read the longitudinal or transverse units of other grams, graphs I or recorded lines, and to translatethe same into other units of measurement, as may be desired. It is to be understoodfthat the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the size, shape, andarrangeme'nt of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

- Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In a device for use in connection witha strip having a recorded .,llne embodying a base and a deflection. a supporfto have cooperative relation with the strip, means movable with relation to the support to traverse the distance along the -base from a point near one end of the deflection to a point near the opposite end of the deflection, and means to translate the extent of move- 4- 2,oas,sss

ment of the first named means into units of known value.

2. In a device for use in connection with a strip having a recorded line embodying a base 5 and a deflection, a support to have cooperative relation with the strip, means movable with relation to the support to traverse the distance transversely of the base from a point near the base to the apex of the deflection, and means co- 10 acting with the first named means to translate the extent of movement of the first named means into units of known value.

3. In a device for use in connection with a strip having a recorded line embodying a base 15 and a deflection, a support, an element connected with the support and movable with relation thereto to measure the distance along the base from a point near one end of the deflection to a point near the opposite end 01' the deflection and to also measure the distance transversely of the base from a point near the base to the apex of the deflection, and means coacting with the first named means to translate its extent of movements into units of known value.

2 4. In a device for use in connection with a strip having a recorded line embodying a base and a deflection, a circularly curved indicator mounted to turn upon an eccentric axis so that a portion thereof maymove from a given point 30 in the recorded line to another given point, and

means to translate the extent oi. turning movement or the indicator into units of known value.

5. In a device for use in connection with a strip having a recorded line embodying a base and a a deflection, a circularly curved indicator mounted to turn upon an eccentric axis so that a portion thereof may move from a given point in the recorded line to another given point therein, and means to translate the extent of turning movemeat or the indicator into units of known value including a relatively movable scale and pointer.

6. In a device for use in connection with a strip having a recorded line thereon, means to support the strip; a support to be arranged above the a supported strip in close relation thereto, a movable indicator carried by the support and adapted to'be shifted from one given point in the recorded line to another given point therein, and means to translate the extent oi movement 0! ID the indicator into units 01 known value.

' 7. In a device for use in connection with a strip having a recorded line thereon, a support having means to adjustably support the strip, a second support arranged near and above the first I named support and the strip and adjustable with relatlon'to the first named support, a movable indicator carried by the second named support and shiitable from a given point in the recorded line to another given point therein, and

I) means to translate theextent oi movement of the indicator into units 01' known value.

8. In a device for use in connection with a strip having a recorded line thereon, a plate to receive the strip thereon and having spaced slots for the passage of the ends of the strip with the slots longer than the width of the strip, a second plate arranged near and above the strip and the first plate, means to guide the second plate in its movement with relation to the first plate longitudinally of the strip, an indicator mounted may be shifted from a given point in the recorded line to another given point therein and means to translate the extent oi! movement of the indicator into units of known value.

9. In a device 01' the character described, a support, a circular disc mounted upon the support to turn upon its center and having a circular indicator which is stationary with respect to the disc, said circular indicator also being eccentric with respect to the circular disc, said disc having a base line passing through its center and the center of the indicator, and a scale for coaction with the disc.

10. In a device of the character described, a support, a disc mounted upon the support to turn upon its axis and having a circular indicator whichis movable with the disc, the circular indicator being eccentric with respect to the turning axis of the disc, said disc having a base line passing through its turning axis and the center of the indicator, saiddisc also having a scale extending about its periphery and starting at the base line, said support having a pointer to coact with the scale.

11. In a device oi. the character described, a support, a disc mounted upon the support to turn upon its center and having a circular indicator which is stationary with respect to the disc, said circular indicator also being eccentric with respect to the disc, said disc havinga base line passing through its center and the center of the indicator, said disc having scales extending in opposite directions about its periphery and starting at the base line, said support having a pointer to coact with said scales, and means providing a further scale for coaction with the disc.

12. In a device oi the character described, a support having an opening, a transparent disc mounted upon the support to turn with relation thereto and covering the opening, said disc having a circular indicator movable with the same,

v the indicator being eccentric with respect to the turning axis of the disc, said transparent disc having a base line, said disc having a scale startingat the base line and extending about the periphery or the disc, said support having a pointer to coact with the scale of the disc, and means for providing a further scale for coaction with the disc.

wnlnuaurnmrs. 

